This dissertation argues for an ethical investment in the flourishing of black trans women. It builds on the ongoing work of womanist and black theological ethics and draws from the personal narratives of black trans women. Carrying forward the black ethical tradition, this project recognizes black trans women and their lived experiences as an ethical source from which a unique, ethical posture emerges: ploughing. Necessitated by a social context that understands black trans feminine existence as abject and expendable, this ethical posture is a necessarily dynamic and laborious movement through life that resists and disrupts the moral ground thereby revealing and creating new moral possibilities in the process. Ploughing shows how the everyday experiences of black trans existence embody moral postures of resistance to heteropatriarchal systems of surveillance and violence. Ploughing denotes a series of ethical postures that generate alternate moral capacities that embrace embodiment and underscore the centrality of community. Focusing on respectability politics, its influence on black (Christian) religious spaces, and the operations of Black Sexual Panopticism (BSP), a system wherein black sexuality is acculturated through surveillance, chapters 1 and 2 examine the long history of social narratives that regulated and disciplined black movement and sexuality in ways that later targeted black trans femininity. Chapter 3 turns to black aesthetics. It examines blues culture and its links to black gospel through gesture and performance, introducing interstitial performativity as a glimpse of the moral potential within black-constituted spaces that affirm black erotic expression. The remaining chapters develop ethical postures through the metaphor of ploughing, highlighting distinctive features of black trans women’s existence. Drawing on published personal narratives, Chapter 4 outlines the social realities that confine and relegate black trans femininity in service of oppressive demands for social order. Chapter 5 identifies four ethical postures -- claiming pleasure, humble un/knowing, incessant becoming, and “no mind” ethos -- that coalesce to form ploughing. These postures irrupt social expectations and forge new moral trails in the process. This project recognizes black trans women as moral exemplars largely overlooked in Christian ethics, and the moral imperative to prioritize black trans feminine futures.

yes / Background Unilateral trans-tibial amputees have bilaterally reduced toe clearance, and an increased risk of foot contact, while crossing obstacles compared to the able-bodied. While the able-bodied tend to lead with a ‘preferred’ limb it is equivocal whether amputees prefer to lead with the intact or prosthetic limb. This study determined the effects of laterality, compared to side of amputation, on amputees' obstacle crossing performance. To help understand why laterality could affect performance we also assessed knee proprioception for both limbs. Methods Foot placement and toe clearance parameters were recorded while nine amputees crossed obstacles of varying heights leading with both their intact and prosthetic limbs. Joint-position sense was also assessed. Participants self-reported which limb was their preferred (dominant) limb. Findings There were no significant differences in foot placements or toe clearance variability across lead-limb conditions. There were no significant differences in toe clearance between intact and prosthetic lead-limbs (p = 0.28) but toe clearance was significantly higher when amputees led with their preferred compared to non-preferred limb (p = 0.025). There was no difference in joint-position sense between the intact and residual knees (p = 0.34) but joint-position sense tended to be more accurate for the preferred, compared to non-preferred limb (p = 0.08). Interpretation Findings suggest that, despite the mechanical constraints imposed by use of a prosthesis, laterality may be as important in lower-limb amputees as it is in the able bodied. This suggests that amputees should be encouraged to cross obstacles leading with their preferred limb. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

I denna uppsats undersöks transmäns relation till sin mens i avseende på deras dysfori och hur de upplevde att den påverkade deras känsla av maskulinitet. Utifrån detta undersöks hur exempelvis diskursen kring mens påverkar dem och huruvida ett transinkluderande språk påverkar dem. De teoretiska infallsvinklarna var bland annat performativitetsteori och queer- teori. Fyra intervjuer gjordes med fyra personer som identifierade sig som transmän och hade erfarenhet av att ha mens. Intervjupersonerna upplevde en del dysfori i förhållande till mensen och kopplade ihop mens med kvinnlighet. Diskussionen fördes bland annat kring hur fenomenet mens kopplas ihop med kvinnlighet och hur det performativt kan reproducera femininitet samt hur mensen är kulturellt och socialt betingat och leder till stigma. Det undersöktes också hur ett transinkluderande språk som till exempel användandet av ordet ”menstruant” kan skapa en normalisering av mens generellt och leda till mindre socialt stigma men också hur det eventuellt kan göra att kvinnligt kodade fenomen fortsätter vara marginaliserade. Detta leder också in på en diskussion kring kvinnan som subjekt i feminismen när det inte enbart är kvinnor som är offer för patriarkala strukturer.

Health disparities, including higher rates of mental or physical illness, are found among members of minority or marginalized groups including people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. However, there is a paucity of research incorporating both experiential components and measures of physical health, particularly among trans men during their transition from female to male. Trans men transition through the use of testosterone therapy (T) and surgical procedures in order to align their internal male gender identities with their physical presentation. This study combines the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data in order to understand trans men's experience of their changing bodies, identify the primary stressors faced during different stages of transition, and measure the biological manifestation of psychosocial stress during transition. Sixty-five trans men who were utilizing testosterone (T), participated in this cross-sectional study of stress experience during transition. The study involved in-depth, in-person interviews and multiple biological measures including: 24-hours of blood pressure monitoring, three consecutive days of salivary sampling for measures of cortisol and testosterone, a blood-spot for measures of C-reactive protein (CRP), and anthropometric measures. The general hypothesis for this study was that men in earlier, more liminal stages of transition would experience more transition and gender-related stress than men later in the process and that this stress would manifest experientially, psychologically, and physiologically. As expected, transition-specific psychosocial stress was associated with physiological measures, and was more pronounced among trans men in the liminal stages of transition. Moreover, comparisons of stress experience during different stages of transition uncovered variation in how trans men perceived and experienced changes in their bodies and social identity. A number of experiential aspects of transition were identified from the qualitative interviews and found to be linked to physiological stress measures including decreased nocturnal decline in blood pressure, increased cortisol levels, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP). In particular, issues related to transitioning identity stress (TIS), challenges linked to "passing" and being "out" as transgender, and specific acute stressors including the use of gender-specific public restrooms were each found to be independently associated with biological measures of stress.

No description available.

<p> The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of oxalyl chloride-fluoride has been recorded under high resolution, and has been attributed to a superposition of the spectra of the cis isomer (which appears weakly) and the trans isomer. The ultraviolet spectra of the cis isomers of oxalyl bromide, oxalyl chloride and oxalyl fluoride have also been identified. With the help of theoretical calculations, discrete absorption in the ultraviolet spectrum of trans oxalyl chloride-fluoride has been attributed to the superposition of four systems: (a) the singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet transitions which involve promotion of an electron from the highest energy non-bonding orbital (n₁) to the lowest energy antibonding orbital (π₁*) and (b) the singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet transitions which involve promotion from n₁ to the second lowest energy antibonding π orbital (π₂*). The S-S and S-T, n₁ → π₁* transitions have been analyzed in detail. </p> <p> Theoretical calculations have been carried out which indicate that α,β diketones, promotion of an electron to the lowest energy antibonding skeletal orbital (σ₁*) produces states which have a tendency towards dissociation along the C-C bond. It has been postulated that the diffuseness of the high energy absorption spectrum results from such a molecular dissociation, the Aᵤ(π₁,π₁*) state being strongly predissociated by the Aᵤ(n₁,σ₁*) state while the Aᵤ(n₁,π₁*) state is strongly predissociated by the Aᵤ(π₁,σ₁*) state. </p> <p> It has been postulated that the fluid phases of glyoxal and biacetyl consist of an equilibrium mixture of these molecules in various degrees of aggregation (e.g., monomeric, dimeric, trimeric,...). An ultraviolet band system previously assigned to a second n → π* transitions of these molecules has been reassigned to the first n → π* transition of a polymeric species. Some evidence has been assembled which supports this hypothesis. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Las especies vegetales están continuamente desafiadas por un extenso número de microorganismos patógenos en su ambiente natural, principalmente bacterias, hongos y virus. Las plantas cuentan con un amplio arsenal de mecanismos de defensa tanto constitutivos como inducibles frente a estos patógenos. Los mecanismos inducibles incluyen el estadillo oxidativo, muerte celular rápida y localizada, acumulación de fitoalexinas y la síntesis de proteínas relacionadas con la patogénesis (Proteínas PR). Centrándose en las fitoalexinas, estas son compuestos antimicrobianos de bajo peso molecular producidos por las plantas en respuesta a estrés biótico y abiótico. Las fitoalexinas poseen un amplio rango de propiedades antifúngicas en varias especies de plantas. Debido a esto, estos compuestos han sido objeto de numerosos estudios en los últimos 20 años. En la Vid, Vitis vinífera L., la respuesta mejor caracterizada y más frecuente frente a la infección fúngica es la extensa acumulación de fitoalexinas y de proteínas relacionadas con la patogénesis. Entre la gran diversidad de compuestos naturales bioactivos producidos por las especies de Vitis sp. las fitoalexinas están formadas por un grupo reducido de moléculas que pertenecen a la familia de los estilbenos. Las células de vid son capaces de acumular estilnenos en respuesta a estrés biótico y abiótico. Los estilbenos de la vid derivan primariamente del trans-resveratrol (tR) (3,4`,5 -trihidroxiestilbeno), el cual puede sufrir modificaciones químicas, como glicosilación, metilación, hidroxilación y oligomerización, dando lugar a varios derivados bioactivos. tR es producido como producto final de la ruta fenilpropanoide mediante la condensación de tres moléculas de malonil-CoA con una molécula de 4-cumaroil-CoA en una reacción catalizada por la Estilbeno Sintasa (STS). Los estilbenos de la vid han sido ampliamente estudiados ya que poseen unas propiedades en la salud humana sorprendentes. Se han observado beneficios del tR en las principales enfermedades humanas, como agente cardioprotector, como inhibidor de la carcinogénesis, neuro protector y antienvejecimiento entre otros, ya que tR posee un alto efecto antioxidante. Por lo tanto, el interés farmacéutico, nutracéutico y biotecnológico del tR y por tanto de la vid, han ido en aumento desde los últimos 20 años. De la misma manera, la respuesta de defensa ha sido estudiada en cultivos celulares de vid utilizando inductores naturales de esta respuesta. En este sentido, la 2,6 dimetil-ꞵ-ciclodextrina (MBCD) ha demostrado poseer un gran poder elicitor, promoviendo la producción de tR y su acumulación extracelular. Estos estudios han permitido profundizar en los diferentes mecanismos de regulación de la producción de estos compuestos a través de análisis transcriptómicos y proteómicos. Sin embargo, estos análisis revelaron algunos genes y proteínas cuyo papel en esta respuesta es desconocida hasta hoy. Este es el caso de dos parálogos de Fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilasa quinasa (PPCK). La presente tesis doctoral está centrada en el estudio del posible papel regulador de la enzima fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilasa quinasa (PPCK) en la producción de resveratrol y otros metabolitos secundarios en cultivos celulares de vid. La hipótesis principal de esta tesis es que dicha enzima podría estar regulando el flujo del carbono entre el metabolismo primario y secundario, con la finalidad de potenciar este último en condiciones de estrés. Para demostrar esta hipótesis, el contenido de la tesis se divide en 4 capítulos principales. El primer capítulo consiste en el desarrollo de un método analítico basado en espectrometría de masas de triple cuadrupolo para la detección precisa y la cuantificación exacta de resveratrol y sus derivados bioactivos, producidos por la vid. El segundo capítulo es un estudio transcripcional de 2 isoformas de la enzima PPCK, así como el sustrato de esta última (la enzima fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilsa, PPC), en condiciones de estrés, además de estudiar la coexpression con enzimas y factores de transcripción cuyo papel en la producción de resveratrol se conoce con anterioridad. En este capítulo se demuestra tanto en cultivos celulares de vid, como en hojas intactas, que los genes PPCK son fuertemente reprimidos en condiciones de estrés, mientras que los genes PPC permanecen invariables. En cambio se produce un descenso en torno al 20-30% en la actividad específica de la enzima PPC en tales condiciones. Por otro lado, en tales condiciones se observa la correlación entre la represión de los genes PPCK y el incremento en la producción de resveratrol y otros estilbenos. Es conocido que los cambios de actividad en la enzima PPC son debidos a cambios en la fosforilación de la misma, los cuales a su vez son regulados por la PPCK. Por lo tanto el capítulo 3 consiste en el desarrollo de un método para detectar y cuantificar cambios en el patrón de fosforilación de la enzima PPC, adoptando una estrategia de proteómica dirigida. El desarrollo de esté método para la proteína PPC ha permitido observar como el estrés inducido por MBCD provoca un descenso en el grado de fosforilación de la enzima PPC, lo cual correlaciona directamente con el descenso en su actividad específica, y ambos efectos a su vez están correlacionados con la represión génica de su proteína reguladora PPCK. Por último el capítulo 4 es el análisis funcional de los genes PPCK, a través de transformación genética estable de cultivos celulares de vid, con la finalidad de sobreexpresar los genes PPCK, y del silenciamiento genético de los mismos. Los cultivos celulares transformates que sobreexpresaban alguno de los dos parálogos de PPCK resultaron acumular menos resveratrol en condiciones de estrés en comparación con la estirpe silvestre (WT) avalando de esta manera nuestra hipótesis inicial. Además, este efecto no afectaba únicamente a la producción de resveratrol, si no a una gran variedad de metabolitos secundarios producidos en la ruta fenilpropanoide (Flavonoides, taninos condensados, ácidos hidroxicinámicos etc.) sugiriendo que el papel de la enzima PPCK está implicado en la regulación del suministro de carbono hacia esa vía en condiciones de estrés. Por último, el silenciamiento genético tuvo una eficiencia inadecuada, sugiriendo que los genes PPCK pueden ser esenciales, y difícilmente manipulables por en la región metabólica en la que participan. / La presente tesis doctoral ha sido financiada gracias a la subvención de Ministerio de economía y competitividad (BIO2014-51861-R) y (BIO2017- 82374-R). Así mismo, las dos estancias de investigación realizadas en el Integrative Biology Institute, Liverpool University, (Liverpool) han sido financiadas por la Escuela de Doctorado de la Universidad de Alicante, a través del programa de subvenciones para facilitar la obtención de la mención de Doctorado internacional en el título de Doctor y por la European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) a través de su programa Short-term Fellowships (ASTF No 7754).

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) communities experience elevated levels of mental health distress than do their cisgender counterparts (Anzani et al., 2019; Parr & Howe, 2019). TGNC identities have also become increasingly visible in popular media over the last decade (Gillig et al., 2018). Though representation of TGNC narratives and experiences has grown, therapists continue to feel unequipped to work with their TGNC clients (O’Hara et al., 2013), and a third of TGNC clients have reported negative experiences in therapy (Anzani et al., 2019). The current study considers how mainstream representation impacts TGNC clients’ experiences of therapy and of their gender identity, asking the research question, What are TGNC clients’ experiences of therapy and their gender identity as it relates to media that focuses on TGNC identities? Four participants were interviewed from a feminist standpoint and hermeneutic phenomenological framework. Six themes and 17 subthemes were identified, with participants speaking to their relationships with media within and outside of therapy, affirmative and non-affirmative moments experienced in therapy and their impacts, and their view towards the future of TGNC mental healthcare and the role of media in this care. Participants’ testimony can inform work towards more gender-affirming therapy practices, including understanding the salience of media for TGNC communities and the ways it can inform therapeutic processes and relationships.

There’s a growing number of trans-related bills in the US and states are divided amongst themselves with some taking a strong pro-trans stance and others a strong anti-trans stance. This study analyses the arguments of six different political debates on the US state-level. These debates all concern either pro-trans or anti-trans bills. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the trans-debate and its ideological underpinnings. Our study shows that how one views the trans identity is fundamental to the trans debate. The study also shows a clear ideological divide in the arguments used by both sides with many republican arguments aligning with conservatism and conversely many democratic arguments aligning with liberalism. The republican arguments revolve around the themes of parental right, the value of the family and the need to protect children from the dangers of gender affirming care. The democrat's argumentation has its basis in their view of trans people as a persecuted minority with many arguments revolving around the suffering this community endures. They argue that the anti-trans bills are dangerous for trans people as many trans people already suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. Some democrats go as far as accusing the republicans of having near genocidal intensions for the trans community. The democrats instead argue that trans people should be free to express themself and that they deserve to feel safe, respected and affirmed. Contrary to the republicans the democrats see gender affirming care as a lifesaving solution to trans peoples suffering.

No description available.